HIV-positive ‘Hyena man’ of remote African village arrested for having sex with children

July 27, 2016, 9:20 AM IST

Malawi- An HIV-positive Malawian man, Eric Aniva, 40, who is paid to have intercourse with more than 100 girls and women in remote African village has been arrested on the president’s orders.

He told the BBC that he did not mention his HIV status to those who hire him. He also says that he is one of 10 hyenas in the region.

According to custom, sex with the hyena must never be protected with the use of condoms. But they say a hyena is hand-picked for his good morals, and therefore cannot be infected with HIV/Aids.

He is paid between $4 to $7 for each client to have sex with girls over a three-day period after their first menstruation. If they refuse it’s believed their families or even the whole village will be cursed.

He is also paid to have sex with widows before their husband is allowed to be buried.

Aniva said. “Most of those I have slept with are girls, school-going girls. Some girls are just 12 or 13 years old, but I prefer them older. All these girls find pleasure in having me as their hyena. They actually are proud and tell other people that this man is a real man, he knows how to please a woman.”

Aniva has two wives and five children. He’s not sure how many of the women and girls he’s made pregnant.

Dr Howard Kasiya, health expert and director of the Adolescent Girls’ Advocacy Network of Malawi,said. “Malawi has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world and 10 per cent of the population is HIV-positive.”

Presidential spokesman Mgeme Kalilani said in a Statement that. “While we must promote positive cultural values and positive socialisation of our children, the president says harmful cultural and traditional practices cannot be accepted in this country.”

Mr Kalilani said.”The president had also ordered all men and parents involved to be investigated.”

The statement said. “All people involved in this malpractice should be held accountable for subjecting their children and women to this despicable evil.”

Adding.”These horrific practices although done by a few also tarnish the image of the whole nation of Malawi internationally and bring shame to us all.”